Vincent vanGoghto Theo VanGogh
Extract from letter, Arles, 24 October 1888
“(É) As you learned from my wire , Gauguin had arrived in good health .He gives me the impression he is even better than me. (É)
I cannot help it that my pictures do not sell.
The day will come when people will see that they are worth more than the prove of the paint and my own living, very meagre after all, that is put into them.
(É) to a large extent we are going to use cheaper colours , Gauguin as well as I. And in the same way were are going to prepare the canvas ourselves. For a while I had a feeling that I was going to be ill, by Gauguin’s arrival had do taken by mind off to that I’m sure it will pass. I must not neglect my food for a time, and that is all, absolutely all there is to it.
And after a time you will have some work again.
Gauguin brought a magnificent canvas, which he had exchanged with Bernard, Breton women in a green field, white, black, green, and a note of red, and the dull flesh tints. After all, we must all be of good cheer.
I believe that the time will come when I too shall sell, but I am so far behind with you, and while I go on spending, I bring nothing in. Sometimes the thought of it saddens me.”

After month of persuasion, Paul Gauguin arrived in Arles on 23 October 1888. From his letters it is obvious that Vincent worked hard to make Gauguin as happy and comfortable as possible, but he remained nervous “I don’t yet know what Gauguin thinks of my decorations (É) there are some studies which I know he really likes, like the sower , the sunflowers and the bedroom”. They visited the fields of La Crau, where Vincent created two paintings in oils The Sower, and The Old Yew.